Wordament has been a largely popular Word based game for the internet community for quite a while before it was finally ported over to Windows 8 operating system, as well as the Windows Phone. It was a simple little Boggle knock-off that was as quick to pick up and play as it was addictingly fun for someone who likes to play with languages. While the popularity of the title hasn’t faded much, Microsoft Studios has ushered out a new take on it with Wordament: Snap Attack. While a free download like its predecessor, does this new approach grab gamers the same way, or does it simply pale in comparison?

Wordament: Snap Attack drifts away from the aforementioned Boggle approach to capitalize on the Words with Friends trend. The game board is set up much like Scrabble with certain bonus multiplier tiles and a goal to form words with the seven letters you are given. The difference is that there are words already on the board, and you need to snap your letters onto them to create words, as well as try to build off the letters you just put down for additional points and rank higher than the everyone else playing. The two minute round length remains the same as the previous entry though, which does help to speed things along and may cause you to panic more if struggling with what you were presented to use.

Depending on the device you play on, you’ll obviously have different methods of connecting words. Of course this game is clearly designed like the original Wordament and meant for touch screen devices. Simply put your finger on the letter and drag it to connect to another letter on the board. You can also tap a letter and swap it with another on the board by taping that other one you want to move. Clearly a simple, effective method that works with your preferred gaming method to help make forming words easy.

There is one major difference to the gameplay though, and its that the game automatically counts words based on the tiles you play and where they’re placed. Say you wanted to put down the “island.” Once you lay down the tiles “is” (unless floating unconnected or attached for an additional letter in what case that two letter word doesn’t count) you will automatically be given credit for it. Also if any of the letters touch another set to make another word, automatic points. With a single long word you can have many different ones accredited to you, and if on one of the multipliers you bring in plenty of points within a matter of a few seconds.

There is some simple playful music to the load screen and lobby, but as you play the game there’s only little noises when placing tiles or forming a word. The lack of music does help you think, but those effects can be a bit distracting. Playing on mute can be the better option, or with an album playing in the background to take away from the dings and chimes. Other than that there’s nothing more to talk about with the audio, or anything for that matter.

Wordament: Snap Attack is a fun, simple little application that isn’t quite as addicting as traditional Wordament, but it definitely adds a new twist that tests your vocabulary. The game doesn’t take up much memory, nor does it actually cost you anything since the game is supported by banners on the very bottom of the screen that are just out of reach of tapping on accident unless holding it awkwardly or you have larger than normal hands. If you’re looking for something to kill some time, grab some quick points to your gamerscore (which you can get ninety points in a manner of three rounds) or just enjoy word-based games, Wordament: Snap Attack is worth giving a shot.